(10) Kele Okereke – The Boxer – The genius behind one of my favorite bands of all time (Bloc Party) used his solo debut to completely reverse the BP format. Where BP was post punk indie rock filled with a touch of electro house, this album was electro house with a touch of post punk indie rock. Even flipping styles around Okereke can do no wrong.

(9) Freelance Whales – Weathervanes – Quirky indie rock with sugar based synth and melodies so innocent and poppy, Justin Bieber would probably call it soft. Nevertheless the song Hannah was my most played song on iTunes for the past three months.

(8) Foals- Total Life Forever – Foals is like a happy-go-lucky version of Yeasayer. They’re indie and experimental but something in the vocals reminds me of the Fleet Foxes. Either way, it’s a shame this album was slept on so hard this year. Hopefully they’ll pull a Mumford & Sons and be able to find more success with it in its second year.

(7) Circa Survive – Blue Sky Noise – ‘Juturna’ blew my mind when it came out. ‘On Letting Go’ did not. ‘Blue Sky Noise’ is probably the most poppy out of the three, but it’s also the best. I highly recommend checking these guys out live, Anthony Green is about as true to form of a front man as you’re going to find and somehow manages to be on point with that high-pitched growl even live (no easy task).

(6) Kid Cudi – Man On The Moon II: Legend of Mr. Rager – Don’t let the shittiness of the title dissuade you, this album is amazing. I don’t care what anyone says Kudi is the most innovative mind in Hip Hop right now.